- Rocket from German manufacturer experiences fiery mishap during experimental launch.
Portions of a rocket from German space company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) ignited and burst into flames during a trial on a Scottish isle. An issue arose during the ignition of the initial stage at the fresh spaceport, Saxavord, according to RFA's announcement. No harm came to anyone. "The launchpad remained intact and secure, the predicament is being managed, and any immediate hazard has been dispersed."
The spaceport assured that all safety procedures were adhered to and the area was cleared prior to the test, safeguarding everyone. "This was a trial, and trial campaigns are devised to pinpoint problems before the subsequent phase," a representative from the site informed the BBC.
Prospective rocket launch may be postponed
RFA aspires to become the first company to launch a rocket from Unst, the northernmost British isle, into outer space. The planned experimentation of the nine engines was part of a sequence scheduled to prelude the first launch. A short trial was executed successfully some months ago.
The preparations could now be halted. "We will dedicate time to analyze and evaluate the scenario," RFA disclosed. They are collaborating closely with the operator and authorities, aiming to restart trials as soon as feasible. "We are steadfast believers in authentic tests," they stated. "That's a fundamental aspect of our philosophy, and we were aware of the elevated risks involved in this methodology."
A Saxavord spokesperson confirmed that they are collaborating with Rocket Factory Augsburg to pinpoint the origins of the malfunction, acquire insights from it, and aid the company in the subsequent phase of its readiness.
Saxavord is one of many space centers escalating globally due to the soaring popularity of little rockets and the commercialization of space. Saxavord only garnered permission from British aviation authorities to initiate rocket launches in late December 2023.
The incident occurred at Saxavord, a spaceport supported by the European Union, which is part of the global surge in space centers due to the increased interest in small rockets and space commercialization. Following the malfunction, RFA and Saxavord are working together within the European Union's framework to investigate the issue, learn from it, and prepare for future trials.
